Confidential
M 1558
No. 7 Carteret Street,
Westminster, S.W.
108
1st December 1902.
CROWN AGENTS
RECEIVED
-3 DEC 1302 FOR THE COLONIES,
RE APPOINTMENT OF
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS,
HONG
KONG.
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To the Crown Agents for the Colonies,
Downing Street,
Gentlemen,
S.W.
(1) In reply to your letter of 14th November 1902, I have the honour to report as follows.
(3) It appears that Mr. E.G. Baxter was recommended
by Mr. Hawkshaw, M. Inst. C.B., for the appointment of Assistant Engineer P.W.D. Demerara. I have had an interview with Mr. Hawkshaw, from which it appears that he had no previous acquaint- ance with Mr. Baxter, but that he made his recommendation, on the basis of testimonials and enquiry, in the usual mairier.
(3)
After a conference with Mr. Hawkshaw, I have
arrived at the following opinion. Mr. Baxter, though he has no doubt full qualifications for the post of an Assistant Engineer, or even of an Executive Engineer, has not ever had any oppor- tunity of showing himself fit for the more responsible post of Assistant Director of Public Works, Hong Kong.
(4) The Assistant Director of Public Works, is, as I
understand, the immediate personal representative and assistant
of the Director. He is in daily communication with his chief,
discusses matters with him, and is the channel of communication
1
Ho